Pubdate: Wed, 19 Nov 2008
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2008 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact: http://www.canada.com/theprovince/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Keith Fraser, Staff Writer

COUPLE SUES OVER GROW-OP SEARCH

A couple is suing the City of Abbotsford after a "public safety"
inspection was conducted on their home by municipal officials
searching for a marijuana grow-op.

Glenn Ferraz and Monica Woykin, who own a home on Regal Parkway, say
city officials and police arrived at their doorstep May 13 to conduct
an inspection.

The couple's lawyer, Nicholas Preovolos, said the lawsuit aims to
determine whether officials entered their home legally "and not on a
whim or arbitrarily. In this case, I don't believe power consumption
is an issue."

The city has been cracking down on residential grow-ops, targeting
homes with high power consumption.

Woykin allowed the officials in the home to do the inspection, but
without the police. No criminal charges were laid and no grow-op was
found, says Preovolos.

The couple is seeking damages. The city has not filed a statement of
defence.
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